Stephanie Reid-Simons

Senior Vice President

Stephanie followed her grandpa's path into journalism, reporting and editing her way into leadership roles with news teams covering everything from courts and crime to entertainment, sports and business. At Amazon and Zillow, she used her strategic storytelling skills to earn the attention of millions of people, establish a content marketing practice and help build a creative agency. Stephanie and her wife enjoy time with their sons and taking on overly ambitious home improvement projects.

‘Change will absolutely happen’ — so build something new
Real estate has gone through massive changes over the past 50 years, says industry icon Stefan Swanepoel, but it’s time to focus on the future.
April 23, 2024
Real estate’s AI era is just starting — here’s what you need to do
It’s not too late to get on board, but “you have less than a year to figure it out,” AI expert Allie K. Miller told execs at the T3 Leadership Summit.
April 23, 2024
CoStar acquires Matterport — and all its data
The move gives the Homes.com parent company access to a massive amount of digital property information as it looks to strengthen its residential presence.
April 22, 2024
T3 Sixty suspends release of real estate brokerage ranking
The company made the move after hearing from “numerous” privately owned companies involved in high-stakes lawsuits over commissions.
March 28, 2024
‘We remain vigilant’ KW says as it unpacks NAR settlement
From buyer agreements to non-MLS places where cooperative compensation can appear, here’s what Keller Williams is telling leaders and agents about the deal.
March 18, 2024
Marc King departs KW president role amid layoffs
CEO Mark Willis adds “president” to his title and confirms that about 30 people have been let go from the company.
March 11, 2024
Steve Harney, an educator, entrepreneur and advocate, has died
Harney, a top agent, broker/owner and founder of Keeping Current Matters, is fondly remembered as “one of the kindest and most passionate men” in the industry.
March 8, 2024
AI is so much more than ChatGPT — here’s what you need to know
Products that just scratch the surface of what AI can do are giving real estate “a bad rap,” but there are ways to go deeper (without getting in too deep).
March 7, 2024
Nick Bailey out in RE/MAX leadership shakeup
Amy Lessinger, former SVP of Region Development, takes over as president, while two other execs receive promotions.
Updated February 22, 2024
NAR shares ‘real story’ of leadership, strategic shifts
New messages from Interim CEO Nykia Wright and President Kevin Sears lay out changes to “presidential initiatives,” NAR’s Leadership Team and culture work.
February 19, 2024
NAR called ‘arrogant’ as it makes national news again
A Wall Street Journal story portrays the National Association of Realtors as inflexible in the face of legal challenges to the industry’s commission structure.
February 16, 2024
HAR leaders on earning trust and competing with Zillow
“We’re trying to be an example of what an association can do,” says René Galvan, who will take over for Bob Hale as CEO in 2026.
February 2, 2024
Keller Williams reaches $70M settlement in commissions cases
The deal, which leaves just NAR and HomeServices of America as defendants in the Sitzer/Burnett and Moehrl cases, releases KW from all sell-side litigation.
Updated February 1, 2024
Clear Cooperation suit ends without any rule changes
NAR says ThePLS.com, which sued the association and three major MLSs, is dismissing the case. But the door is open for it to refile this year.
January 26, 2024
Major MLSs reach settlement in lawsuit over NAR policy
CRMLS, Bright MLS and MRED have reached an agreement with ThePLS.com over Clear Cooperation rules, leaving NAR as the only remaining defendant.
January 25, 2024
NAR alternative moves up its launch
AREA, an initiative spearheaded by Mauricio Umansky and Jason Haber, aims to create “something totally new” for agents and others dissatisfied with NAR.
Updated January 23, 2024
More women than ever earn spots in real estate power ranking
For the second year in a row, the Swanepoel Power 200 designated Sue Yannaccone, Anywhere Brands president and CEO, as the most powerful female leader.
January 10, 2024
NAR President Tracy Kasper, facing blackmail threat, steps down
Kasper had been in the role for just over four months following the resignation of former president Kenny Parcell. Kevin Sears is taking over as president.
Updated January 8, 2024
The Ten: MLS leaders bond over industry shifts — and Sammy Hagar?
Art Carter and Brian Donnellan, CEOs of the nation’s largest MLSs, are pals as well as colleagues, walking the talk of collaboration in challenging times.
December 19, 2023
Redfin expands (and renames) its new agent-pay program
San Diego and Orange County join San Francisco and LA as Redfin Next launch cities on Jan. 1. The program is designed to “remove the ceiling” from compensation.
December 12, 2023
Lawmakers target hedge-fund homebuyers
The bill, which would give large-scale corporate investors 10 years to unload the homes they own or face massive penalties, faces long odds.
December 8, 2023
Meet The Ten who defined 2023
Real Estate News has selected the top newsmakers in a year shaped by trials — of all kinds — and resilience in the face of epic challenges and opportunities.
Updated January 2, 2024
Hearts, minds and home: Moving topics from NAR NXT
Conference sessions provided moments of laughter as well as insights into the future of the association — and the country — in challenging times.
November 17, 2023
NAR president’s post-verdict message: Be transparent, trust appeals
Tracy Kasper addressed Realtors in a video post, offering specific advice for working with buyers and sellers, and a look ahead to other legal actions.
November 9, 2023
A post-verdict future is taking shape fast — here’s what to do
More settlements and MLS changes are coming, the CEOs of NextHome and T3 Sixty say. Agents need training, and they’re not the only ones.
November 6, 2023
Bob Goldberg out at NAR, Chicago media exec in
Nykia Wright, previously CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times, will be interim CEO. Goldberg had previously announced plans to depart in 2024.
Updated November 2, 2023
The jury has spoken — now what?
The Sitzer/Burnett trial may be over, but a final judgment — which could impact both monetary damages and commissions rules — is yet to come.
November 1, 2023
The AI hype is real: Here’s what real estate pros need to know
Think of AI as an “infinite time saver” that can supercharge your business and free up your time. It’s not going to replace you. In fact, it needs you.
October 28, 2023
Disruption expert shares recipe for success in tough times
From lawsuits to AI, “the more uncertain the future, the more options you need,” innovation professor Luke Williams told attendees at the T3 Tech Summit.
October 24, 2023
NAR might have more paths to victory in commissions cases
Defendants presented opening arguments during week one of the Sitzer/Burnett trial. An industry lawyer sees two additional ways they might prevail in court.
October 21, 2023
Mixed perspectives on NAR following Redfin’s exit
Zillow, Windermere affirm their commitment to the association, while a top brokerage leader calls out “dysfunctionality” and a disconnect from member needs.
October 13, 2023
Anywhere, RE/MAX drop buyer commission and NAR requirements
The brokerage giants have agreed to significant policy changes as part of their settlement agreements in the Sitzer/Burnett and Moehrl commissions cases.
Updated October 6, 2023
eXp launches app for off-market listings
The company says eXp Exclusives is not meant to replace MLSs, but it provides a way to work with sellers who want to keep their listings private.
October 4, 2023
Gurtej Sodhi, CIO at Crye-Leike Real Estate, has died
A respected tech leader, Sodhi spent nearly 30 years at Crye-Leike and held numerous roles on national boards.
October 3, 2023
MV Realty files for bankruptcy amid legal turmoil
The brokerage, which offered homeowners cash in exchange for a 40-year right-to-list agreement, has been bogged down by lawsuits and investigations.
September 22, 2023
Zillow Gone Wild goes HGTV
The Instagram fave will become a “property event series” on HGTV in 2024, plus The Agency founder Mauricio Umansky will join Dancing with the Stars.
September 14, 2023
NAR stands with CEO amid turmoil
NAR leaders affirmed Bob Goldberg as CEO during an emergency meeting days after the association’s president resigned following sexual harassment allegations.
August 31, 2023
NAR president resigns in the wake of sexual harassment allegations
Just two days after the New York Times published claims of harassment, retaliation and intimidation at the association, Kenny Parcell has stepped down.
Updated August 28, 2023
Agent launches campaign calling for change at NAR
Allegations of sexual harassment at NAR, followed by "very emotional" calls from association employees, sparked a new initiative now gaining steam.
Updated August 30, 2023
A rallying cry as lawsuits over agent pay 'hit a critical point'
T3 Sixty has sent an open letter to the real estate industry, urging everyone to take action now to get ahead of potential rulings in commissions lawsuits.
July 12, 2023
'Mounting pressure' on industry as MLS agrees to settle commission suit
MLS PIN has agreed to pay $3 million and stop requiring sellers to offer buyer-broker compensation, a practice at the core of two other major lawsuits.
Updated July 11, 2023
NAR CEO to retire in 2024; search for replacement underway
Bob Goldberg announced that he will leave the role with the National Association of Realtors when his current contract ends on Dec. 31, 2024.
Updated June 28, 2023
Real Estate News columnists bring home top industry awards
Leading economist Dr. Paul Bishop and respected broker J. Philip Faranda were honored by the National Association of Real Estate Editors at their annual event.
June 9, 2023
KW president on what eXp, Zillow — and Gary Keller — have wrought
Marc King explains why Keller Williams needs to be the tech company of choice and why the industry needs agents who value service over shortcuts.
May 20, 2023
Butterflies, the “Easy Bus” and a plan for tough times
HomeServices of America CEO Gino Blefari knows what agents are facing — and what they’re capable of. His advice? Keep going. Winning is possible.
May 16, 2023
A tough first quarter for top Canadian brokerage company
Bridgemarq Real Estate Services reported a net loss of $4.7 million, attributing the drop to the housing market downturn.
May 11, 2023
NAR move will increase 2024 dues by 4%
NAR has approved a proposal that would increase dues based on the inflation rate. This will raise 2024 dues to $156 (from $150).
Updated May 11, 2023
CTO gets Real about new AI tools, and risks
ChatGPT is not hard to add to your site. The challenge comes in doing it the right way, so you don’t hurt your brand with “hallucinations.”
May 5, 2023
Anywhere on track with cuts but still loses $138 million
The company missed analyst expectations by $0.48 per share but achieved cost savings of $50 million while legal headwinds put pressure on the bottom line.
May 3, 2023
Bright MLS CTO Frank Major has died
Frank Major is remembered as a “smart and kind” leader who served on the board of RESO and Byte Back, an organization working to close the digital divide.
May 3, 2023
Shark Tank star’s advice for 'fellow sharks' in real estate
Daymond John knocked on the right door to grow the FUBU brand and his own career, with a lot of hustle and a little help from LL Cool J.
May 2, 2023
Sherry Chris steps down as leader of BHGRE and ERA
Sherry Chris, president and CEO of the Anywhere Expansion Brands portfolio, is retiring from brand leadership and will transition to an advisory role.
April 27, 2023
Nation’s largest homebuilder brings some heat to a cool spring
DR Horton, seen as a “heat check” for the housing industry, blew past analyst expectations with its fiscal Q2 profits and offered an encouraging take on spring.
April 20, 2023
Opendoor cuts 22% of its employees
The industry’s leading iBuyer continues its struggle against housing industry headwinds, cutting about 560 employees, mostly in operations.
April 18, 2023
Lawsuit could shake the landscape for buyer’s agents
With billions of dollars at stake, a judge’s ruling this week poses challenges to the residential real estate commission system.
April 1, 2023
Commissions lawsuit now a class action, greatly increasing its scope
A judge ruled that the Moehrl suit would now cover all sellers who paid commissions to named companies over a 5-year period, plus “current and future” sellers.
Updated September 22, 2023
How it felt to have millions in SVB as it failed
When SVB collapsed, it created some not-so-wonderful thoughts of “It’s a Wonderful Life” for Josh Jensen, co-founder of proptech startup Inspectify.
March 18, 2023
Uncertainty post-SVB could create opportunity for homebuyers
Bank failures may lead the Fed to tap the brakes on raising interest rates, which means now is a good time for homebuyers to keep calm and make their move.
March 14, 2023
Long & Foster CEO, brokerage president resign
CEO Jeff Detwiler left after nearly 14 years with Long & Foster, along with Boomer Foster, the founder’s nephew. Two company vets have moved into their spots.
March 13, 2023
Making sense of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse
The government took over SVB on Friday, while proptech leaders offered their support for the bank and expressed concern about the impact of its failure.
Updated March 13, 2023
Agent count up, offsetting losses for top Canadian brokerage company
Bridgemarq Real Estate Services reported revenue of $49.9 million in 2022 and added more than 500 agents.
March 9, 2023
News Corp CEO commits to growing Realtor.com
As the company doubles down on the real estate portal, CEO Robert Thomson said News Corp remains “open and opportunistic.”
March 7, 2023
T3 Tech Summit: How technology can simplify real estate transactions
Speakers and vendors at the inaugural event focused on tech solutions that add value for real estate professionals.
November 2, 2022
AI expert: Artificial intelligence is 'taking over' — and that's OK
Roboticist Ayanna Howard spoke about the present and future of AI across industries at the T3 Technology Summit.
October 31, 2022